Rayvin

I think the point is that we should stop talking about her now, but given the continuing airtime she's getting it does seem a bit premature. I pondered on it a little bit but then gave in to the peer pressure that comes from being a relatively new poster and offered an olive branch. I may be too diplomatic for this forum...

Liverpool and Spurs are likely to be seen as stronger in his eyes, so our only real chance would be if they didn't go for him. Also, do we need him? Where would be play? Unless you're thinking we'll lose Cabaye.

You guys are making me nervous

At least 50% of this topic was written by the enigmatic Thatcher devotee of a few pages back - although I do take your point.

Hahaha typical!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/interactive/2013/apr/12/margaret-thatcher-policies-interactive Possibly a bit heavy, but there are a lot of people there with a lot of reasons to hate Thatcher.

That is absolutely disgraceful. Let's hope public disapproval is made very clear when the day comes.

I guess then you wouldn't use Tiote at all? I guess you could switch Jonas to leftback and put Tiote on in place of Haidara. I agree he's been superb recently anyway, the issue was more about where to fit Tiote in/if at all. Anyway, I just read that Di Canio is insisting that there are at least 4 Sunderland players in our box whenever they go forward. Should be an interesting strategy.

We look worlds ahead of them, this should be no contest. 3-0 for me I think, can't see them even scoring.

Girl's blouse? Or corset in this case... does look Italian though.

I'm gonna have to try this...

WTF?? I wonder if that's somehow tailored to things you've searched for in the past?

The way I see it they've pretty much only got aggression to call on here. I'd start Tiote as he can go toe to toe with that (I know that's a sending off gamble), and then take him off at half time if he's picked up a booking. I'd sacrifice Jonas for that probably - less need for his work rate with Debuchy and Haidara. Also, Jonas seems to invite nasty challenges and I'd be concerned about him getting crocked. Then yes, as you say, bring Ben Arfa off the bench. Perch or Shola for the final sub, depending on how the game is going.

Probably for the best, he'd be an immediate focus for being taken out. Last thing we want to do is have him out for another few games. We'll win it anyway.

This is my take on it also. As it was Williamson was relatively untroubled.

So then, we would have been playing Fenerbahce. It is a bit disappointing like, we could have taken them (although beating Lazio is no mean feat). However, we'd almost certainly get Chelsea in the final...

Good post, would agree with all of it.

On the balance I'd go for Sibel - I find white chicks kinda dull and she brings some diversity. She's also much prettier than the others.

...Thank you for this.

If we manage to keep HBA for next season (I'm sceptical about this, Liverpool have me worried) then I'm confident that we can do some real damage. He does get injured a lot though...

Feeling pretty positive about this game now. If HBA and Marveaux are both fit for this, we'll destroy them. Hopefully Saylor back although WIlliamson, to his credit, didn't fuck anything up last night. Might just be because Yanga-Mbiwa is so good though.

I keep getting worried he'll get himself sent off though - I know it's his frustration/passion, but he can make some rather stupid choices/tackles sometimes.

I actually thought Shola had more of an impact than Marv tonight anyway.

I agree with this, Benfica are about our level even with our injuries - meaning that full strength we're likely to be a better side. Also not particularly proud about getting to the QF. Or about losing on aggregate. What I am pleased with, is that Pardew made a decent fist of getting us through tonight (and I maintain tactically, did everything right), and that he has managed to accomplish something in the past couple of seasons that the previous 5 or 6 (I forget, but since Bobby) managers have been unable to do. In my mind, this suggests that we are making progress as a club, and have finally halted the startling downward trend. Next year we can consolidate and shoot up the league - and the Europa run might be enough to attract a few more good players.